Life changes in Canada

• Health effects
  • Physical: fatigue, sleep disruption, headaches, stomach issues, and worsened chronic conditions; immune function can be affected.
  • Mental: increased anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and risk of burnout with prolonged strain.
• Personal life impact
  • Relationships: more conflict, less energy for loved ones, withdrawal or reduced social activity.
  • daily routines: disrupted self-care, exercise, and healthy eating; increased reliance on coping outlets like caffeine or comfort foods.
• Workplace impact
  • Concentration and memory: trouble focusing, slower problem-solving.
  • Productivity and attendance: higher risk of errors, missed deadlines, absenteeism or presenteeism (being physically present but not fully engaged).
• Coping and supports
  • Short-term: establish a predictable routine, sleep hygiene, regular physical activity, social support, and breaking tasks into small, doable steps.
  • Workplace strategies: transparent workload communication with a supervisor, boundaries between work and personal time, and using employer supports (EAP or wellness programs).
  • Canada-specific resources: access to primary care and provincial mental health services; employer-provided EAP; digital supports like October for group sessions and tailored assessments.
  • October note: consider October digital group sessions for stress management and coping with life changes; assessments can tailor the right content and support.
• When to seek professional help
  • If symptoms persist beyond 2–4 weeks, interfere with daily functioning, or include thoughts of self-harm, contact a healthcare professional or crisis resources (for Canada, Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or visit TalkSuicide.ca; in emergencies, call 911).

• Productivity and performance: high life changes stress reduces concentration, memory, and decision‑making; increases errors; more absenteeism and presenteeism.
• Turnover and hiring costs: burnout from life changes stress accelerates quitting, raising recruitment and training expenses.
• Health system and social costs: higher use of mental health services, sick leave, and disability claims; greater burden on employers and public health resources.
• Spending and growth: weaker consumer spending and investment; slower GDP growth due to reduced demand and productivity.
• Equity and workforce dynamics: caregiving burdens hit certain groups harder, widening gaps and potentially shrinking the long‑term talent pool.

Consider October's digital group sessions and assessments to support employees through life changes.

• Strengthen income and social safety nets during transitions

  • Improve EI and sickness benefits; create rapid support programs for workers in transition; extend coverage for gig/contract workers.

• Stabilize housing and cost of living

  • Expand affordable housing supply; stronger eviction protections; temporary relocation or housing subsidies during major life changes.

• Normalize flexible, predictable work arrangements

  • Encourage or require flexible scheduling, remote options, and paid leave for major life events; provide clear transition supports at workplaces.

• Improve access to mental health care and early support

  • Integrate mental health into primary care; reduce wait times; expand telehealth and workplace employee assistance programs (EAPs); promote crisis services (e.g., 988 equivalents).

• Invest in newcomer and family support

  • Expand settlement services, language training, and culturally appropriate mental health resources; parental leave and affordable childcare to ease life transitions.

• Build and fund community networks and digital tools

  • Support community organizations; fund digital mental health resources (such as October) for group sessions, assessments, and educational content; ensure equitable access across regions.

• Proactive, clear communication about upcoming life changes (timelines, who to contact, what support is available)
• Flexible work options and predictable schedules to help balance changing responsibilities
• Structured transition support (phased returns, role clarity, and onboarding for new circumstances)
• Comprehensive life-change benefits (paid family leave, caregiver support, relocation assistance) aligned with Canadian laws
• Manager training in empathetic leadership, workload adjustment, and early stress detection
• Promote social connection (peer support, buddy systems, regular team check-ins)
• Easy access to mental health resources (Employee Assistance Program, October digital group sessions, assessments, and content)